Vice President Mondale Launches Obama Campaign for Change “Seniors Talking to Seniors” Program
Former Vice President Walter Mondale marks the 73rd anniversary of Social Security with a groundbreaking grassroots effort to reach Minnesota seniors
ST. PAUL – Seventy-three years after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law the creation of Social Security, former Vice President Walter Mondale, long-time Minnesota human-rights advocate Dr. Josie Johnson and Obama for Minnesota State Director Jeff Blodgett kicked off a groundbreaking new “Seniors Talking to Seniors” program at Sen. Obama’s Minnesota Campaign for Change headquarters.
Vice President Mondale, Dr. Johnson and Blodgett spoke of the importance of reaching out to seniors. Vice President Mondale highlighted U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s detailed plans to stand up for seniors and ensure every American has the same chance at a fulfilling retirement.
“Senator Obama has comprehensive plans to protect Social Security, strengthen retirement savings, make affordable health care available to every American and to protect and honor our seniors,” Vice President Mondale said. “With the ‘Seniors Talking to Seniors’ program, we will be launching a sustained effort to grow Senator Obama’s broad support among this important group of voters.”
After Mondale’s remarks, senior volunteers hit the phones to talk with other seniors about Barack Obama’s strong record of fighting for issues important to them. The “Seniors Talking to Seniors” program is a key element of Obama’s strategy to win Minnesota’s 10 electoral votes. Both Obama and Sen. McCain consider Minnesota a vital state to win in the election.
“There is no question about it: Minnesota is absolutely critical for our campaign and for Senator McCain’s campaign,” Blodgett said. “Neither campaign wins this election without Minnesota. The ‘Seniors Talking to Seniors’ program will Minnesota’s seniors the tools they need to spread Senator Obama’s message and recruit new supporters within their own communities, neighborhoods, churches and other aspects of their lives.
“It is a neighborhood and town-based effort that will build broad-based support for Senator Obama’s candidacy among seniors. In campaign offices all over Minnesota, senior supporters of Senator Obama will regularly help us talk with Minnesotans and make sure they understand Senator Obama’s ideas to turn around the economy and keep us safe.”
